Speakers Arend Jan Boekestijn and Rob de Wijk see tension rising within the transatlantic alliance. This is reflected in the relationship with China. ‘Europe would like good economic relations with Beijing. America wants to go further away.”
China recently launched a European charm offensive. After a few years in which the relationship has been difficult, more and more government leaders are being invited again to visit President Xi Jinping. And Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s first trip abroad also went to Europe. Relations between the United States and China, however, remain tense, despite the recent visit of Foreign Minister Blinken to Beijing.
It fits the picture that Arend Jan Boekestijn and Rob de Wijk sketch in their podcast ‘Boekestijn en de Wijk’. They argue that there is growing noise on the line between Washington and Brussels and base their analysis on an article by Niall Ferguson. According to this British political analyst, many Europeans feel uneasy in the situation where the United States and China increasingly oppose each other as two superpowers.
Each in his own way
“You can see a trend where Europe and the US are going their separate ways,” says De Wijk. ‘This creates a situation where Europeans have to learn to implement their plan. The uncertainty about the outcome of the American elections reinforces this feeling’.
This tension within the transatlantic community is reflected, among other things, in relations with China. “Europe would like to have good economic ties with the country so that it can make money,” says Boekestijn. “America wants to move further away. You can see that by the pressure it puts on chipmaker ASML’.
Embarrassing situation
According to Boekestijn and De Wijk, what makes the whole situation uncomfortable is the military supremacy that the United States still holds. “Look at Ukraine, where the US provides more support than all EU member states combined,” says Boekestijn. De Wijk: ‘We have neglected our defense and have become dependent on the Americans. For the umpteenth time they are coming to our rescue». With that they can ask us to “dance to their tune,” fears De Wijk. “And to be more in line militarily and economically.”
Yet it appears that Europe can largely withstand this pressure. “You see that Europeans are trying to become more and more independent from the United States,” says De Wijk. “We continue to insist on economic and military autonomy. Precisely because we no longer fully trust America.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
